The Bush Decision

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Biologists have also found stem cells in umbilical-cord blood. These cells have proved useful in combatting blood disorders, including leukemia. Some firms even offer to freeze and store this blood in case children later develop a treatable illness. But doctors question such practices and argue that more research is needed.

--THE EFFECT Like adult-stem-cell research, work on umbilical blood cells will compete for dollars with embryonic cells.

--WHAT'S NEXT? A fight in Congress over which research gets the money.

RESTRICTED

Frozen Embryos

The President approved research only on existing cell lines drawn from embryos created for in-vitro fertilization by willing couples who received no money for their donation. But thousands of leftover embryos still in freezers must either be adopted, discarded or donated to researchers relying on private funding.

--THE EFFECT Frozen embryos will find a use in private research, especially if Bush's rules prove too restrictive.

--WHAT'S NEXT? The status of frozen embryos remains up in the air.

NO FEDERAL FUNDS

Donor Embryos

During his deliberations, Bush was reportedly worried when a Virginia institute announced it had collected sperm and egg donations to create embryos specifically for developing stem cells for research. Researchers argued it was more honest to create embryos solely for research. Bush saw a slippery slope.

--THE EFFECT Bush's rules cut these stem cells off from federal dollars. Private funding remains an option.

--WHAT'S NEXT? Private research will continue, especially if the 65 lines are insufficient.

Cloned Embryos

To create a new embryo, biologists implant the nucleus of an adult-donor cell into an egg-cell membrane. After extracting stem cells from the embryo, scientists may be able to grow cells and organs that are genetically identical to the donor's. Those could be implanted in the donor without fear of rejection.

--THE EFFECT Bush has ruled out funding for research, and the House passed a bill banning all cloning procedures.

--WHAT'S NEXT? If the Senate bans it, even private research will end.

--By Mitch Frank